Verti Marte Rises Phoenix Like From The Ashes In New Orleans

Back in May when Verti Marte burned down, there was a lot of debate as to whether the old girl would reopen or not.

I just stuck my head in the door a few minutes ago. A workman informed me that they’re shooting for a Halloween 2010 re-opening.

Some of my most memorable New Orleans meals have come at 4am, sitting cross-legged on my bed at the Inn eating a giant po boy from Verti Marte with a bag of Zapps and WWOZ on the radio.

Words from the past:

Golden.

So very,very good.

Verti Marte is the zenith of the corner store concept. Good food, reasonable prices. I order the Shrimp/Oyster combo Po-Boy. She comes on a foot or so long hunk of good French bread and is delicious.

As is my custom on takeout I squat down as near as possible and soak in the neighborhood [ in this case Royal Street, New Orleans ]. As I dine on the sidewalk, Indian leg-style I chat it up with the delivery guys, guard a small dog tied to a garbage can and revel in the booming thunderheads rolling through somewhere nearby…just about as perfect a chow experience as one could hope.

Edited November 2011: Two recent 3am meals from Verti Marte found the ol gal to be humming right along. Excellent fried shrimp and fried oyster po boys, a good selection of Zapps potato chips and Hubig’s pies and gruff service from a disinterested staff.

Just the way I like it.

2*

1201 Royal Street

New Orleans, Louisiana

70116-2512

About the Stars:

4 **** Extraordinary, life changing

3 *** Excellent

2 * Very good

1 * Good

0 * Mediocre to Acceptable

Quality, price, service and ambiance are all taken into account when rating